I am having a problem understanding the meaning of a sentence that uses the present perfect continuous without stating a period of time (how long, since, for, etc). Can the sentence still indicate that the activity is happening from the past until now if time period is not mentioned?
If the time period is mentioned, can the sentence means that the activity was recent or just ended?

I have been looking forward to the holiday.

Does this sentence mean that I am still looking forward to the holiday and that it is not currently the holiday? Or does this sentence mean that I have stopped looking forward to the holiday since I am on holiday now? Or can it mean both?

I have been feeling sad.

Does this sentence mean that I am still feeling sad now? Or does it mean that I felt sad before and that I no longer feel sad now? Or can it mean both?

3 Answers
3

When you use present perfect tense, the action you are describing is still happening (hence the label, present perfect). So, if you "have been looking forward to the holiday," you still are. And if you "have been sad," you still are.

In both of your sentences, I can still be looking forward to the holiday or feeling sad or no longer be looking forward to the holiday or feeling sad. So it can mean both in each case.

The most important thing to remember about this tense is that the present is affected by what was going on. For example, I might be explaining why I am very excited right now, or (in the second sentence) why my eyes are bloodshot and my face looks downcast right now.

Mentioning a time period describes the beginning of the event, which persists until the present moment: "I have been looking forward to it today" indicates that during the day today I have been looking forward to it, and I still am.

The present perfect continuous will always include the current moment, even without other time indicators.

Regarding your specific questions:

"I have been looking forward to the holiday" does not specify whether it is currently the holiday or not. Either may be true.

"I have been feeling sad" always indicates that you still are. As soon as you are no longer sad, the sentence changes to "I had been feeling sad."